Periodic Oscillations and Transient Dynamics Caused by Saturating Density-Dependent Benefits and Costs in Obligate Mutualisms
by Xue-Meng Song; Feng Zhang; Yan-Ping Liu; Ming-Rui Song; Jia-Xu Han; Rui-Wu Wang
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A two-species mutualism model employs saturating functional responses to explicitly differentiate between mutualistic benefits and costs. The density-dependent nature of these benefits and costs, by differentially regulating population reproduction and mortality, provides an intrinsic mechanism that can drive periodic oscillations and transient dynamics, even in obligate mutualisms. In contrast to the conventional view, which attributes such complexity to external forces like environmental change or other species interactions, these findings reveal a potent endogenous cause. This insight offers a significant perspective for understanding ecosystem stability.
Saturating density-dependent benefits and costs can intrinsically drive periodic oscillations and transient dynamics in obligate mutualisms.
